Energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus

ABSTRACT

An energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus comprises a control assembly and a controller. The control assembly is disposed between an external energy supply source and a heating apparatus, so as to control turning on/off of energy supply of the energy supply source to the heating apparatus. At least one activation switch is disposed on the controller. The activation switch can operate the control assembly to cut off the entry of the energy of the energy supply source to the heating apparatus and keeps a fixed off duration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus, and more particularly to a hot water supply apparatus which can be used conveniently and prevent energy waste by making full use of the hot water remained in the water pipe.

2. Description of the Prior Art

As over development and consumption by human, various natural energies are gradually exhausted. In these days, many energy-saving apparatuses are developed and disclosed in order to reduce consumption of energies. In our daily life, except electric appliances, the heating of water supply consumes much energy.

In various hot water supply apparatuses, a gas-operated hot water heater is widely used because it can heat quickly and it is cost-effective. However, it will generate carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide at high concentration when burning gas. Thus, the gas-operated hot water heater must be installed outdoors, preventing a poisoning accident. Therefore, it is a certain distance from the position (outdoors) of installing the gas-operated hot water heater to the position (the indoor tap) of the water outlet. When in use, the hot water heated by the gas-operated hot water heater passes through a long pipe to the tap after a period of time. When the tap is turned off, there is some hot water remained in the pipe. The remained hot water in the pipe is not used and will be gradually cool. This causes an energy waste. If the remained hot water can fully flow to the tap for use to reduce the amount of the remained hot water in the pipe, the energy waste will be lowered. This shall be valuable reference for the relevant manufacturer to improve their future design. Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention has devoted himself based on his many years of practical experiences to solve these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art. The hot water supply apparatus can make full use of the hot water remained in the pipe, avoiding energy waste and enhancing use efficiency of energy. The time to turn on/off the apparatus can be adjusted according to different demands. It can be used widely and controlled in a wireless way so it is convenient for use.

In order to achieve the aforesaid object, the energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus of the present invention comprises a control assembly and a controller. The control assembly is disposed between an external energy supply source and a heating device to control turning on/off energy supply of the energy supply source to the heating device. The controller has at least one activation switch. The activation switch is able to operate the control assembly to turn on/off the energy supply of the energy supply source to the heating device and keep a fixed off duration.

Preferably, the controller has a reset button to operate the control assembly to turn on/off the energy supply of the energy supply source to the heating device. Preferably, the controller has a warning device to provide a warning when the control assembly turns off the energy supply to the heating device. Preferably, the warning device is one of a sounding device and a lighting device.

Preferably, the activation switch cooperates a timing setting assembly to constitute a control assembly. The timing setting assembly sets a time for conduction by the time for required hot water to deduct the time for the hot water flowing from the heating device to a water outlet through a pipe. The activation switch is to activate the timing setting assembly to count time.

Preferably, the controller has a plurality of control assemblies. Each control assembly has a timing setting assembly to set a different time for conduction.

Preferably, the controller comprises a flow sensor disposed on the flow route of hot water.

Preferably, the controller comprises a timing reset assembly. The timing reset assembly is to set an interval time to automatically restore opening after the control assembly is closed.

Preferably, a flow adjustment assembly is provided between the external energy supply source and the heating device. The flow adjustment assembly is controlled by an adjustment assembly located on the controller to adjust the rate of the external energy supply source flowing to the heating device.

Preferably, the controller comprises a wireless signal receiving module therein. The wireless signal receiving module cooperates with an external remote control to receive a wireless control signal from the external remote control.

Thus, before running out of hot water, the apparatus makes the control assembly turn off the energy supply of the energy supply source to the heating device, so that the hot water generated by the heating device can flow out thoroughly for use. This prevents hot water from remaining in the pipe to cause energy waste and enhances use efficiency of use. The time to turn on/off the apparatus can be adjusted according to different demands. It can be used widely and controlled in a wireless way so it is convenient for use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic view according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The first embodiment adopts gas as energy supply. An energy supply source 4 is cylinder gas (or natural gas). A heating device 5 is a gas-operated hot water heater. The energy supply source 4 (cylinder gas or natural gas) is provided with a gas pipe 41 connected to the heating device 5 (the gas-operated hot water heater). The heating device 5 (the gas-operated hot water heater) has a cold water inlet 51 to conduct cold water to the heating device 5 and a hot water pipe 52 to drain hot water. The hot water pipe 52 has at least one first water outlet 521 and at least one second water outlet 522. The first embodiment of the present invention comprises a control assembly 1 and a controller 20. The control assembly 1 is disposed on the gas pipe 41. The control assembly 1 may be a normally open control valve which is controlled to turn off (cut off) the flow of the gas in the gas pipe 41. The controller 20 is provided with at least one activation switch 201. The activation switch 201 is adapted to operate the control assembly 1 to turn off the flow of the gas in the gas pipe 41. After the control assembly 1 is activated, it can restore to the normally open state at a preset time (such as 120 seconds).

When in use, the user foreknows the time for required hot water used for various purposes (such as, washing face, washing hair, brushing teeth) to deduct the time for the hot water flowing from the heating device 5 (the gas-operated hot water heater) to the first water outlet 521 (or the second water outlet 522) through the hot water pipe 52 so as to get the time for conduction of the required hot water for various purposes. For example, the time for required hot water to wash face is 60 seconds. The time for the hot water flowing from the heating device 5 (the gas-operated hot water heater) to the first water outlet 521 through the hot water pipe 52 is 15 seconds. The conduction time of the hot water for washing face is 45 seconds. When in use according to various purposes, the user counts time by himself/herself (counting silently) at the beginning of turning on the first water outlet 521 or the second water outlet 252 until the aforesaid count time consists with the time of conduction, and then the activation switch 201 is pressed. The controller 20 outputs a control signal to the control assembly 1 (the control valve) to close conduction of the gas in the gas pipe 41, so that the heating device 5 (the gas-operated hot water heater) stops heating. At this moment, the first water outlet 521 (or the second water outlet 252) is still in a running state and not closed. Therefore, cold water continuously flows into the heating device 5 (the gas-operated hot water heater) through the cold water inlet 51 and flows out from the hot water pipe 52. When the cold water flows to the first water outlet 521 (or the second water outlet 252) through the hot water pipe 52, it just consists with the time for the required hot water. At this time, the user turns off the first water outlet 521 (or the second water outlet 252) to stop flowing, such that the water remained in the hot water pipe 52 is cold water. The hot water generated by the heating device 5 (the gas-operated hot water heater) is fully used, without energy waste.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is substantially similar to the first embodiment with the exceptions described hereinafter. The second embodiment comprises a control assembly 1 and a controller 2 a. The controller 2 a has an activation switch 21 a and a wireless signal receiving module 22 a. The wireless signal receiving module 22 a cooperates with an external remote control 23 a. The remote control 23 a has an activation button 24 a thereon for operating the remote control 23 a to send a wireless control signal. The wireless signal receiving module 22 a receives the wireless control signal to drive the control assembly 1 to process the same operation and control like the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment comprises a control assembly 1 (the control valve) and a controller 2. The controller 2 comprises a timing circuit therein. The controller 2 comprises an activation switch 21, a time setting assembly 22, and a warning device 25 thereon. The warning device 25 may be a sounding device or a lighting device. A flow sensor 26 is provided on the hot water pipe 52. The flow detector 26 can detect the flow of the hot water and activate the timing circuit inside the controller 2. The operator can use the time setting assembly 22 to preset a conduction time according to the demand. When in use, the operator presses the activation switch 21 according to the demand and the flow detector 26 detects the flow of the hot water. When the first water outlet 521 (or the second water outlet 522) is turned on, the timing circuit inside the controller 2 starts to count time. When the count time equals to the conduction time, a control signal is outputted to the control assembly 1 (the control valve) to turn off the flow of the gas in the gas pipe 41 for the heating device 5 (the gas-operated hot water heater) to stop heating. When the control assembly 1 (the control valve) is activated, the warning device 25 will provide a warning effect with the preset sound and light. By using the timing circuit inside the controller 2 to count time, this embodiment has a simple operation to achieve the same energy-saving effect, compared to the first embodiment.

In the aforesaid structure, the controller 2 is further provided with a reset button 27 and a timing reset assembly 271. The timing reset assembly 271 can set an interval time 1 to automatically restore the opening after the control assembly closes action (with a screen to indicate the accumulative total of restoration or to count down). After the reset button 27 is pressed, the controller 2 will drive and restore the control assembly 1 to its normally opening state for next use.

When in use, the controller 2 comprises an activation switch 23 and a timing setting assembly 24 to constitute another control assembly. The timing setting assembly 24 can set different conduction times for different demands. Besides, the device may comprise a plurality of control assemblies in the aforesaid way for setting different conduction times to satisfy different demands.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment comprises a controller 3, a flow control assembly 10, and a control assembly 1 (the control valve) same as the aforesaid embodiments. The flow control assembly 10 is disposed on the gas pipe 41. The controller 3 is based on the aforesaid controller 2. The controller 3 comprises activation switches 31, 33, timing setting assemblies 32, 34, a warning device 35, a flow detector 36, a reset button 37, and a timing reset assembly 371. The difference between the controller 3 and the controller 2 is that the controller 3 further comprises a flow adjustment assembly 38. The flow adjustment assembly 38 is connected with the flow control assembly 10. The flow adjustment assembly 38 is operated to control action of the flow control assembly 10 so as to change the rate of gas flow of the gas pipe 41, such that the heating device 5 (the gas-operated hot water heater) can be controlled to change its heating temperature for different demands. This way can enhance the convenience of use.

Accordingly, the energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus of the present invention can reduce energy waste and be used widely.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus, comprising a control assembly and a controller, the control assembly being disposed between an external energy supply source and a heating device to control tuning on/off energy supply of the energy supply source to the heating device, the controller having at least one activation switch, the activation switch being to operate the control assembly to turn on/off the energy supply of the energy supply source to the heating device and keep a fixed off duration.
 2. The energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller has a reset button to operate the control assembly to turn on/off the energy supply of the energy supply source to the heating device.
 3. The energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller has a warning device to provide a warning when the control assembly turns off the energy supply to the heating device.
 4. The energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the controller has a warning device to provide a warning when the control assembly turns off the energy supply to the heating device.
 5. The energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the warning device is one of a sounding device and a lighting device.
 6. The energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the warning device is one of a sounding device and a lighting device.
 7. The energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the activation switch cooperates a timing setting assembly to constitute a control assembly, the timing setting assembly setting a time for conduction by the time for required hot water to deduct the time for the hot water flowing from the heating device to a water outlet through a pipe, the activation switch being to activate the timing setting assembly to count time.
 8. The energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the activation switch cooperates a timing setting assembly to constitute a control assembly, the timing setting assembly setting a time for conduction by the time for required hot water to deduct the time for the hot water flowing from the heating device to a water outlet through a pipe, the activation switch being to activate the timing setting assembly to count time.
 9. The energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the activation switch cooperates a timing setting assembly to constitute a control assembly, the timing setting assembly setting a time for conduction by the time for required hot water to deduct the time for the hot water flowing from the heating device to a water outlet through a hot water pipe, the activation switch being to activate the timing setting assembly to count time.
 10. The energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the activation switch cooperates a timing setting assembly to constitute a control assembly, the timing setting assembly setting a time for conduction by the time for required hot water to deduct the time for the hot water flowing from the heating device to a water outlet through a hot water pipe, the activation switch being to activate the timing setting assembly to count time.
 11. The energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the controller has a plurality of control assemblies, each control assembly having a timing setting assembly to set a different time for conduction.
 12. The energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the controller has a plurality of control assemblies, each control assembly having a timing setting assembly to set a different time for conduction.
 13. The energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the controller has a plurality of control assemblies, each control assembly having a timing setting assembly to set a different time for conduction.
 14. The energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the controller has a plurality of control assemblies, each control assembly having a timing setting assembly to set a different time for conduction.
 15. The energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the controller comprises a flow sensor disposed on the flow route of hot water.
 16. The energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the controller comprises a flow sensor disposed on the flow route of hot water.
 17. The energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a timing reset assembly, the timing reset assembly being to set an interval time to automatically restore opening after the control assembly is closed.
 18. The energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the controller comprises a timing reset assembly, the timing reset assembly being to set an interval time to automatically restore opening after the control assembly is closed.
 19. The energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a flow adjustment assembly is provided between the external energy supply source and the heating device, the flow adjustment assembly being controlled by an adjustment assembly located on the controller to adjust the rate of the external energy supply source flowing to the heating device.
 20. The energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein a flow adjustment assembly is provided between the external energy supply source and the heating device, the flow adjustment assembly being controlled by an adjustment assembly located on the controller to adjust the rate of the external energy supply source flowing to the heating device.
 21. The energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a wireless signal receiving module therein, the wireless signal receiving module cooperating with an external remote control to receive a wireless control signal from the external remote control.
 22. The energy-efficient hot water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the controller comprises a wireless signal receiving module therein, the wireless signal receiving module cooperating with an external remote control to receive a wireless control signal from the external remote control. 